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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arumbudhira Mutthudhira

From Marutha Nattu Veeran · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Marutha Nattu Veeran1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa… aa… aaa…Aa… aa… aaa…
Aaa.. aa… aa…Aaa.. aa… aa…
Male
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Female
Pirandha podhu virundhu vaikkumWithout the pride of hosting a grand feast
Perumai illaadhu…When born…
Aa… aa… aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa…aa…
Female
Pirandha podhu virundhu vaikkumWithout the pride of hosting a grand feast
Perumai illaadhuWhen born,
Pala pengal vandhu thottil aattumWithout the honor of many women coming
Sirappum illaadhuTo rock the cradle,
Pirandha podhu virundhu vaikkumWithout the pride of hosting a grand feast
Perumai illaadhuWhen born,
Pala pengal vandhu thottil aattumWithout the honor of many women coming
Sirappum illaadhuTo rock the cradle,
Arumai ulla aasi thandhai arugil illaadhuWithout the loving, precious father nearby,
Arumai ulla aasi thandhai arugil illaadhuWithout the loving, precious father nearby,
Varumaiyilum sirumaiyilum vaattam kollaadhuWithout wilting or despairing amidst poverty and hardship,
Varumaiyilum sirumaiyilum vaattam kollaadhuWithout wilting or despairing amidst poverty and hardship,
Female
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Male
Kuralai ketta enadhu nenjilUpon hearing the voice, in my heart,
Thaenum paayudhu…Honey flows…
Aa… aa… aa…aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa…aa…aa…
Male
Kuralai ketta enadhu nenjilUpon hearing the voice, in my heart,
Thaenum paayudhu…Honey flows…
Irundha idathai marandhu manam engo thaavudhuForgetting where it was, my mind leaps somewhere,
Engo thaavudhu engo thaavudhuLeaps somewhere, leaps somewhere,
Adhu parandhu parandhu pudhiya pudhiyaFlying and soaring, brand new
Kanavu kaanudhuDreams it beholds,
Adhu parandhu parandhu pudhiya pudhiyaFlying and soaring, brand new
Kanavu kaanudhuDreams it beholds,
Pillai paasathinaal en idhayam aadi paadudhuOut of maternal affection, my heart dances and sings,
Pillai paasathinaal en idhayam aadi paadudhuOut of maternal affection, my heart dances and sings,
Male
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Female :Aa… aa…aa….aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….Female vocalization: Aa… aa…aa….aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Female
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Male :Aa… aa…aa….aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….Male vocalization: Aa… aa…aa….aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Female
Karumai thandha vaira mudiThe dark, diamond-like hair
Tharaiyil kidakkudhuLies on the floor,
Urimai ulla nenjam adhai unarndhu thudikkudhuA heart filled with rightful love recognizes it and throbs,
Karumai thandha vaira mudi tharaiyil kidakkudhuThe dark, diamond-like hair lies on the floor,
Urimai ulla nenjam adhai unarndhu thudikkudhuA heart filled with rightful love recognizes it and throbs,
Male
Sirippadhu thaan ulagathilae kavalaikku marundhuLaughter alone is the medicine for worries in this world,
Sirippadhu thaan ulagathilae kavalaikku marundhuLaughter alone is the medicine for worries in this world,
Thigattaadha amudhaaga inithidum virundhuAn unceasing, sweet feast like everlasting nectar,
Thigattaadha amudhaaga inithidum virundhuAn unceasing, sweet feast like everlasting nectar,
Male
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Male
Arumbudhira muthudhiraDropping flower buds and pearls,
Azhagu sirikkudhuBeauty smiles.
Karumbu mugam kanda udanUpon seeing the sweet sugarcane-like face,
Kavalai parakkudhuWorries fly away.
Kavalai parakkudhu…Worries fly away…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Marutha Nattu Veeran' (1961) expresses the profound joy, love, and emotional healing brought about by a child's innocent smile and presence. Despite having faced life without grand celebrations, cradling ceremonies, or a father's protective presence amidst poverty, the mother finds supreme comfort in her child's sweet laughter, which she compares to falling buds, pearls, and honey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile

Arumbudhira muthudhira / Azhagu sirikkudhu / Karumbu mugam kanda udan

Comparing the child's smile to falling flower buds and pearls ('Arumbudhira muthudhira'), and the face to sugarcane ('Karumbu mugam').

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Arumbudhira muthudhira / Karumbu mugam kanda udan

Rhyming of the second letter 'ru' across lines 'Arumbudhira' and 'Karumbu'.

Hyperbole / Metaphorical Expression

Kuralai ketta enadhu nenjil / Thaenum paayudhu…

Describing hearing the child's voice as honey flowing inside the heart ('Thaenum paayudhu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, 'Marutha Nattu Veeran' starring M. G. Ramachandran and A. Nageswara Rao features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, capturing rich emotional depth through classical and folk-infused Tamil melody structures.

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